Spring vehicle-wheel.



F. R. W|LLSON.'

SPRING VEHICLE WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED APR.15. 1915.

1,156,960; Patented Oct. 19, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

5 FHA-MAN A? mil. JO/V F. R. WILLSON."

SPRING VEHICLE WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED APR, I5, 1914. I 1,156,960. I Patented Oct. 19, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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I 11 if I v I I Y I I III II I '-I|I| 'IIII' I III j Z/ J III \M" 4 I A I 2q 1 2:3 I i-II \k I 7 l3 FREEMAN R. WILLSON, OF WORTHING'ION, OHIO.

seams vEHrcLn-wHEEn Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Oct. 19, 191 5.

Application filed April 15, 1914. Serial No. 831,896.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREEMAN R. WILLsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Worthington, in the county of Franklin and State' of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring Vehicle- Wheels, of which the following is a specification. Y

My invention relates to spring vehicle wheels of the type designed to replace the ordinary pneumatic tire of the present-day motor vehicle although, if desired, my wheel may be applied to other types of vehicles.

The main object of my invention resides in the provision of a wheel wherein all of the component parts are secured together in such manner that the liability of collapse of the wheel is reduced to a minimum. 1

I have further designed my wheel that the spoke and tread portions are preferably assembled in a manner that there will be very little, if any, relative movement rotatablybetween these portions. However, I preferably do employ a structure in 'which the tread and spoke portions are slightly yieldable rotatably with regard to each other, but this yielding nature is such that the two parts will always return to their original position.

This yielding construction between the two parts is advisable upon the drive wheels of, motor vehicles to alleviate the shock due to a sudden application of power.

Another object of my invention resides in the provision of a plurality of setsof springs symmetrically arranged about the periphery of the wheel, these springs being further arranged to all interact in a manner to completely absorb all of the shocks now ab-- sorbed by pneumatic tires.

.A further object of my lnvention' resides in the provision of a structure cooperating with these sets of springs to normally hold them in retracted position, or, in other words,

' to prevent their complete expansion. This construction results in the elimination of all rattle and renders the operation of the device more certain. In this connection, I also provide caps for the ends of the springs so arranged that they slidingly engage their cross head'structures, while. the wheel is functioning.

Another object of my invention resides in the provision of a supporting structure for each set of cushioning springs, this support ing' structure beingrigidly attached to either i the spoke or tread portion and also a cross head rigidly carried by the other of said spoke or tread. portions, this cross head servmg as a bearing for all of the springs of one set when said springs are under compression.

Other objects of my invention will become more apparent after a further detailed description of the accompanying sheets of drawings, in: which similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts-and in which i Figure 1 is a partial side elevation and partial section of my wheel, Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows, Fig. 3 is an enlarged section showing in detail one of the clusters of springs and showing the tread portion removed therefrom, Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken'on line 4- 4 of Fig. 1, and, Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of. the outer portion of the spoke structure showing this spring arrangement in connection with the tread portion on an enlarged scale 'from that shown in Fig. .2, and taken on line 5--5 of- Fig. 3. I

My wheel. in general comprises three main portions, the hub portion 1, the spoke portion 2 andthe' tread portion 3. The spoke andthe hub portions of my wheel can be made in anyd'esired manner to agree with the vehicle upon which it is to be mounted.

. Upon the folly 4 of the spoke portion, I have attached a channel-shaped member 5, this channel member being provided'with a stop (ion one side to accurately center the same with" respect to the central plane of the spokes. This channel. member is further provided with a series of slots or openings-7, the purpose of which will become more apparent as this specification progresses and the outer portions of the legs are "also cut out at repeated intervals as is shown at 8. These cut out portions are provided to permit the transverse passage of clamping bolts 9 for clamping the two sections 10, forming a complemental channel bed adapted to cooperate with the channel 5. The channel member thus formed forms a portion of what I have termed the tread member and it will be noted that its outer periphery is provided with hooks 11 ofany suitable. construction and adapted to grip the rubber tire for suitable packing tnemb ers 14. These packing members are preferably of'a special construction and compositmn no order to render the operating parts of the wheel im pervious to dust and moisture and likewise to give sufiicient lubrication to afford an'easy relative movement between the two channel.

members. lit will be noted'that adi'awi'n'g up of the bolts 9, draws the two members forming the outer or tread channel, into close engagement with each other and in's'o doing, the cross pins shown at whosee'n'ds are both tapered to fit complemental tapered chosen to show these cushioning setsas being rigidly. carried by-the spoke member. The band 5 forming the inner channel isgp'rovided at intervals with bosses 16 upon which I are adapted to rest, spring supporting members or casings 17. These casings have one side open, this open side being adaptedto' face against one of the legs formingthe inner channel 5, this channel being also ipro-.- videdwith socketed bosses 18. As-will be apparent, especially from Figs. 3 and 4, these bosses 1 8 are apertured and socketed to receivebolts 19 which then pass through" cars 20 upon the casing members 17, which are then held in placeby drawing up of the nuts 21. In order to prevent tightening of the nuts 21 to such a degree that the ears 20 will be broken, I have provided these bolts with short pipe sections 22 which serve as supports between the legs of the inner channel member!) and the springcasings-them selves.

The spring supporting or casing members themselves are each provided with-three inwardly projecting bosses shown at 23, these bosses being provided with a square bore the" major portion of their lengths, as is shown at 24 and terminatingin a circular bore to comfortably fit the shank of-bolts 25. Each of the inwardly projecting bosses 23 forms a seating portion for the springs 26,- these springs being arranged in the manner shown,

the bolts in the manner clearly shown to the wherein two are oppositely disposed to each other and the third being radially arranged. All of these springs are initially compressed to a slight degree and held in this restrained position by means of the spring caps 27 threaded on to one end of the bolts 25, re-

,lease of these springs being prevented by the engagement of the square heads 28$of left of Fig. 3. Also, these'bolts areApreT vented from being unscrewed from' the spring caps, 27 because of'the square bores- .on the lower half of'th'e wheel.-

these springs 'd'o come into play in case of 24iii'fwhich they jfiti All of these spring caps 27'a're provided on their outside or working face with a V-shaped tongue 29. adapted to cooperate-with ll-shaped grooves similarly formed in the sides of cross heads 3' These cross heads are adapted to receive the spring-caps 27 of each of the three springs 26"forming each set and are themselves rigidly carried by the tread member by means of the cross pin 15 previously referred to. It will also'be noted that T have used two sets of three springsat repeated intervals around'the periphery of the'whecl, each set 'ofspr'ings being arranged equally upon oppositesides of the-central plane of the "wheel: This arrangement 4 is desirable, although, of course, it isunderstoodthat it is not absolutely necessary to the practicing ofmy invention- Ashasbeen previously related, all of the springs 26 "forming the cushioning sets are initially placedunder'a' slight compression and held so by'means of the spring'caps27 and the bolts 25; I'do this both for the purpose of preventing unnecessary rattle'and' also to make the springsactuate the instant that a strain is placed upon them. The operation of my device is'as follows: The

instant the wheel meets-a slight obstruction,

the tread portion 3 iscaused to rise slightly leaving the center portion stationary. This upward movementof the tread is cushioned by means ofeach of the cushioning-sets and is proportionately distributed through all of the sets about-the entire wheel. The set on the lower half of-the wheel in vertical alincment with its axle, carries the entire shockplaced upon it by means of'the radially arranged spring 26. The cross pin 15 carrying the cross head 30 is-rigidly attached to the members lOforming the tread portion. and

consequently will, therefore, move with the tread portion. This upward movement in turn compresses the spring 26;. leaving the corresponding spring 'onthe upper half of the wheehmafiected. Should the rebound be excessive, thisspring'on the upper half of the wheel comes into play to check the same. The remaining springs of'the various sets around the periphery of the wheel are also caused to actuate slightly and'for the purposes: of description, I will describe the action ofth'ose in horizontal alinementwith the axle; In thiscase', the springs 26 on the upper half of the wheel will be compressed becauseof the vertical movement of the cross pins 15, these cross pins also carrying the cross heads 30. However, because of the .spring caps 27 and 'th'eb'olts 25, the springs onthe 'lowerhalf ofthe wheel will not come into play and 'thecro'ss head's-themselves will come outv of engagement with the caps 27 However,

rebound, as must be apparent:

to slightly yield rotatably and in this manner the shock causedby too sudden an application of power, is considerably alleviated.

What I claim, is:

1. A spring vehicle wheel comprising a hub and spoke portion, a tread portion, a channel member divided into circular sections and adapted to be held together form- I ing apportion of said tread'portion, cross .structures, and 'means pins having tapered ends adapted to seat themselves in tapered apertures in said split channel sections, and a plurality of clusters of springs symmetrically arranged around 7,

and carried by said spoke portion, each clusterbeing arranged to cooperate with one of said cross pins.

2. A spring vehicle wheel comprising a hub and spoke portion, a tread portion, a plurality of sets of springs carried by one of said portions, across headstructure disposed between the springs of each set and carried by the other of said. portions, caps for the ends of said springs arranged to slidingly engage their cross head structures, and means independent of said springs for connecting said caps to prevent the complete expansion of the springs.

3. A spring vehicle wheel comprising a hub and spoke portion, a tread portion, a plurality of sets of springs carried by one of said portions, a cross head structure disposed between the springs of each set and carried by the other of said portions, caps for the'ends ofsaid springs arranged to slidingly engage their res ective cross head or holding said springs laterally rigid but permitting compression thereof.

4. A spring vehicle wheel comprising a hub and spoke portion,-a tread portion, a

plurality of sets of springs carried by one of said portions, a cross head structure disposed between the springs of each set and carried bythe other of said portions, and

of said portions, said, sets comprising oppossaid sprin caps for the ends of'said springs arranged to have a sliding bearing contact only on said cross head structure.

5. A spring vehicle wheel comprising a hub and spoke portion, a tread portion, a plurality of sets of springs carried by one of said portions, a cross head structure disposed between the springs of each set and carried by the'other ofsaid portions, said sprlngs being arranged to cooperate with said cross heads but not permanently connected therewith, and means for holding said springs in restrained 'osition as regards complete expansion ut permitting compression thereof when actuated by movement of said cross heads.

6. A spring vehicle wheel comprising a hub and spoke portion, a tread portion, a plurality of sets of springs carried by one ing sprlngs, a cross head structure disposed between the opposing springs of each set and carried by the other of said portions, a spring cap for one end of each spring and slidably bearing against its respective cross head, and connecting means between each spring cap and the supporting'portion for the opposite end of its spring from that on which the cap bears to hold the springs confined. p

7. A spring vehicle wheel comprising a hub and s oke portion, a tread portion, a plurality o I spring supporting members carried by said spoke portion, cushioni sets comprising opposing springs and a re. ially arranged sprlng, a cross head for each set against which all of its springs bear, a spring cap for one end of each spring and adapted to bear on said crossheads, a bolt connecting each cap to its supporting memher, said bolts passing through said springs and being connected tov said supporting members to prevent complete relaxing of head rigi y attached to the tread portion.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' Witnesses: Y

EDWARD Wmson, WALTE R E. L. Boon;

s, and across pin for each cross FREEMAN R. ILLSON. 

